Hair Transplant: What to Expect
Hair transplant moves follicular units from a stable donor area to thinning or bald areas.
Before
- Hair-loss pattern, donor density, hair calibre, family history, and medical therapy options are assessed.
- Photos, trichoscopy, and expectation discussion guide planning; minoxidil, finasteride, PRP may be discussed as alternatives or adjuncts.
- Smoking, alcohol, blood thinners, and scalp infections affect the healing plan.
- The hairline is designed with natural micro-irregularity and a natural density transition — not as a straight line.
- Donor density and recipient area size determine graft count; realistic expectations are set.
During
- Admission and identity check; under local anaesthesia, FUE grafts are harvested individually.
- DHI or Sapphire placement follows planned angles and directions.
- The hairline is designed with a natural transition; grafts are protected for moisture, temperature, and out-of-body time.
- Placement direction mimics native hair flow.
- Procedure takes 4–8 hours depending on graft count and technique; breaks are planned.
After
- In the first 48 hours, swelling, tenderness, and small crusts are expected; protect the recipient area from friction.
- First wash follows clinic instructions gently; crusts usually clear within 7–10 days.
- Shock shedding between weeks 2–8 is normal; the follicle remains in the skin.
- New growth starts around months 3–4; dense results are visible at 12–15 months.
- Long-term medical follow-up for native hair continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will transplanted hair shed?
- Shedding at weeks 2–8 is expected shock shedding; the follicle remains in the skin and hair continues to grow.
- When can I return to work?
- Many patients return to desk work in 3–5 days; visible crusts reduce in the first 10 days.
- Are results permanent?
- Follicles from the donor zone are genetically permanent; androgenic loss may continue and requires long-term planning.
- What is the difference between FUE and DHI?
- FUE is the graft harvesting method; DHI/DHI+ is a hairline-design and placement technique. Both can be combined.
Risks
- Donor-area thinning ("over-harvesting")
- Variable graft survival rate
- Infection or folliculitis
- Incorrect hairline design
- Ongoing loss in non-transplanted hair
This guide does not replace a personal examination and treatment plan. Base all medication, surgery, or travel decisions on your clinician's written recommendation.